If you are referring to Gifted, then here, we surely have Chris Evans kind of leading the movie. Honestly, who can resist that? Chris has that raw, understated charisma which comes across right from the opening scenes. So grab that cozy blanket or maybe a cup of coffee—because this movie hooks you in from the first.
We meet Frank Adler (Chris Evans), and right away, you notice him living this simple, no-frills life. The scene is sun-drenched; there are Florida beaches in the background, but there's this serenity that feels like it's covering something more complicated underneath. Mise-en-scène is simple but telling—Frank's modest, cluttered house with everyday objects strewn about signals a man who lives for one day at a time, not particularly concerned with appearances. This starkly contrasts the tension below, as if an emotional baggage Frank might carry. Frank fixes ordinary things in the house, but you somehow feel this weight to him; there's so much beyond what is visible. By dwelling over him just that long, you're able to feel it: he isn't just a laid-back guy that he looks like. The shots are not wide all the time, but the framing manages to convey the sense of distance. Even in closer shots, Frank seems generally small within the frame, which again depicts his emotional loneliness and the burden he bears amidst the busy crowd.
We then have Mary, played by Mckenna Grace. From the minute she steps onto the screen, you know it's going to be special. She is not smart—she's brilliant. The quick-witted dialogues and how she quips, such as in her saying, "I'll just skip first grade. I already know everything they're going to teach," immediately present her sharp intelligence. In one scene, sitting in class, Mary works effortlessly through complex math problems, even solving an equation before the teacher finishes explaining it, casually adding, "It's a prime number"; the teacher is left amazed. The camera zooms in on her, drawing you into her concentrated world, and the editing keeps the pace quick, showing that she is obviously incredibly intelligent. Subtly underpinned with close-ups that are tight and sharp, her self-assured, matter-of-fact answers contrast powerfully with the bewilderment of the adults around her. The classroom mise-en-scène, full of bright posters and grade-school atmosphere, only serves to make Mary's genius seem all the more out of place. And yet, it is this very brilliance packaged in simple, childlike attachment to her uncle that makes the character all the more captivating.
One shot says all and everything about their relationship. The shot is when Frank informs Mary that he made her a "special breakfast." You'd expect something good to come out, but it turns out to be only cereal because Frank does not know how to cook. It was special only because it was a limited-edition box. The mise-en-scène here is casualness in their kitchen table; the simplicity of the setting is reflective of their life together: uncomplicated and full of love. It's a short scene, but one bursting with emotions. Here is their relationship in a nutshell: Frank has nothing much, but he makes do of what little he has. Mary is far from disappointed. The camera zooms in on the faces to save comedy and warmth between them. Each looks like they let each other know right away they're letting each other in on the joke. Sound here is careful as well: light, playful music underscores the scene and reinforces the warmth and humor in their bond. It is almost as though Frank were trying to preserve a light-hearted sense about things, even under the weight of which he carries.
This opening centers around Frank and Mary's relationship. It is so tender, natural, left unsaid in many ways. You get how Frank looks at her and how much he cares but also how much he tries to give her that "normal" life, though she is anything but ordinary. The camera manipulates distance in the scenes as well. When Frank is in frame alone, the shots are more spread apart because he feels somewhat disconnected in this world. But when Mary is there, the frame tightens up and brings them even closer together—showing you just how much they mean to each other. The editing emphasizes that connection too, with scenes that transition quite smoothly from one of him to one of her, really making clear how much their lives revolve around each other.
Then there's that big move—Mary off to school. Pathos in Frank taking her to a public school, though a prodigy. And in this scene, the cutting becomes slower so that the scene is drawn out; we see Frank's pause and anxiety. The light is bright and sunny, but beneath it all there is still tension created by the muted sound effects, which grow quieter still as Frank watches Mary walk away. You know this is not going to be easy for either of them. It is like that silent, quiet moment before the storm but for now, you are simply appreciating this slice of their life.
Representation plays a key role here too. Frank, as an uncle who raises his niece, is representing himself in a way not traditionally masculine. He's nurturing and protective, yet he's also giving Mary all the freedom to be herself. It is a subtle tone represented through the visuals and his interactions; Frank is dressed in earthy, neutral tones that suggest stability and grounding, versus Mary's bright scenes—colorful, full of energy—and suggesting brilliance and potential. Frank is often presented in muted tones; he is dressed in plain, worn-out clothes, but Mary, though small, is the brightest figure in the frame most of the time, signifying the importance she holds for him. Their contrasting yet complementary presence speaks clearly to how their lives intersect—Frank needs Mary to color and find purpose in his life, just as Mary needs Frank for the stability and love she can get from him.
By the time you get through the opening, you're attached to Frank and Mary. You care about their feelings and can feel like this trip will tug at your heart in all the right ways. It's setting up this quiet storm of emotions that you know's coming, and you're more than ready to see where it takes you. Not only does it happen to be a guardian-and-genius-child story, but the bond in this case is so unique and special because it happens to be the tale of friendship between two people who are in dire need of each other in life in different ways.
Yes, you view the Chris Evans all this movie's leading up to and between Frank and Mary comes upon you, you are hooked because this movie shares the love between them. Though we have all seen him as Captain America, after Gifted, you'll like him even better—not because of the superhero mojo, but for his raw, really human presentation of a man doing his best for his niece. Gifted starts off as a pretty simple proposition, and then it has you where it needs you—ready for a ride that is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.
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